Brown, Joseph

WARE, MOORHOUSE, SUNDERLAND, CLARKE, SHAW, WOODRUFF

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/5/2009 at 19:35:37

Although twelve years have elapsed since the death of Joseph Brown, his memory is yet cherished by his many friends in Bremer county, to whom his upright and honorable life had so greatly endeared him. He was numbered among the early settlers in this part of Iowa and was a valuable factor in promoting agricultural development here, having spent his entire active life engaged in farming.

Joseph Brown was born in Wotton under Edge, Gloucestershire, England, in 1815, and when a young man worked as a cloth fuller in his native country. He married Eliza Ware in Dublin, Ireland, and they came to America in a sailing vessel seventy-three years ago. He was superintendent of the fulling mills in a woolen factory in Skaneateles, New York for a number of years, after which he went to California. Later he came to Iowa, where he purchased land near Janesville, Bremer county, and turned his attention to farming. After residing upon his first property for a number of years he moved to another farm about three miles from Janesville and there continued his agricultural pursuits for some time, cultivating and improving this property until 1881 and becoming known as a progressive and able farmer whose work was of undoubted benefit to the community at large. When he disposed of his second farm Mr. Brown retired from active life and moved to Waverly, where he resided until his death, which occurred in March, 1901. His passing was regarded as a distinct loss to Bremer county in the ranks of its early settlers and representative citizens and it was deeply regretted by his many warm personal friends.

Mr. Brown was twice married, his first wife dying soon after he came to Iowa. To this union were born four children: William J., a traveling salesman with headquarter in Denver, Colorado; Margaret A., the widow of Ransom Moorhouse, also of Denver, Colorado; Joseph, a farmer residing four miles east of Janesville in Bremer county; and Sarah, who passed away in 1912, the deceased wife of Martin Sunderland, a farmer in Blackhawk county. Mr. Brown's second marriage occurred in 1893, when he wedded Mrs. R.B. Clarke, a daughter of Jesse and Laura (Shaw) Woodruff, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Erie county, New York. The father moved to Illinois at a very early date and after he retired from active life came to Grundy county, Iowa. He later returned to the old homestead in Lee county, Illinois and there his death occurred. His wife has also passed away. Six children were born to their union of whom Mrs. Brown is the fifth in order of birth. She married first on the 4th of April, 1852, Dr. Rufus B. Clarke, a practicing physician of Lee Center, Illinois. In 1862 Dr. Clarke enlisted in the union army for service in the Civil war and went to the front as assistant surgeon connected with the Forty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, continuing with his regiment until the close of the war. He afterward came to Charles City, Iowa, and two years later moved on a farm near Janesville, this county, where his death occurred in 1870. Dr. and Mrs. Clarke became the parents of six children: Allen H., connected with the Reid, Murdock Company of Chicago, Illinois; George H., formerly connected with the wholesale grocery business in Lincoln, Nebraska, and now living retired in Chicago; William and Lilla, who have passed away; Laura, who died in infancy; and Maude M., who resides with her mother.

Mr. Brown was a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist church. In 1907 Mrs. Brown erected a beautiful modern home in Waverly and she has made this the center of hospitality for her many friends. She is highly esteemed throughout the community, having ever displayed those sterling traits of character which always awaken confidence and regard.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914